Swiss Guard celebrates 505 years

(January 24, 2011) Soldiers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, who protect and serve the Pope, celebrated their 505th anniversary on Saturday with a Mass celebrated inside Vatican city. Archbishop Fernando Filoni, the substitute of the Secretariat of State, presided at the Mass and conveyed Pope Benedict XVI's greetings to the members. He told them that in serving the Holy Father, they participate in a special way in the Church’s universal mission, and wished that this give them renewed spirit in fidelity and service. After the Mass, a parade was held in St. Peter’s Square with flags and a band to commemorate the founding of the corps 505 years ago. When on the invitation of Pope Julius II, the first contingent of 150 Swiss mercenaries arrived in Rome on Jan. 22, 1506, to be the Pope’s guards, the Pontifical Swiss Guard corps was born. Today, the Swiss Guard is composed of 110 soldiers and a chaplain. The traditional ceremony of swearing in the new recruits is held on May 6 every year to commemorate the sacrifice in 1527 of 147 Swiss Guards who, who during the sack of Rome by the troops of Charles V, defended Pope Clement VII with their lives.